The Germans were also the host to the first-ever Winter Festival opening ceremonies in 2004, when they were housed in the South End Community Centre.

A decade later, they’ve moved to Salons A and B at the Victoria Inn — a space nearly 10 times larger than their original home.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the evening, which still start with the introduction of the ambassadors of each participating pavilion and will include greetings from dignitaries and other special guests.

After the formal program, Manitoba’s Lieutenant-Governor Philip S. Lee will officially open the German pavilion itself, by tapping a keg.

Six other pavilions will also open their doors for 6 p.m. on Thursday, and another two will join on Friday and Saturday for a total of nine this year.

Pavilions must stay open until at least 10 p.m. on Thursday and at leat 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, but many pavilions choose to stay open later. Pavilions also must open by 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

Admission to all pavilions is free, and children are allowed at all pavilions as well. Food, drink and memorabilia is extra.

Attendance at the Winter Festival has been on the rise since the inaugural one, 10 years ago.

The biggest-ever was in 2011, with a record-setting 59,503 pavilion visits.

There are also complimentary printed guidebooks available at City Hall, at the Sportsplex, at the Riverbank Discovery Centre, at the Brandon Transit information centre, and at several local businesses.

The Brazilian pavilion is once again heating up Brandon with an incredible cultural experience. Don’t miss our exciting show, including a high energy capoeira performance as well as traditional Brazilian dances including maculelê, puxada de rede, and samba. While you enjoy our show, try the delicious chicken stroganoff, or feijoada, a black bean stew that is recognized as the national dish of Brazil. Quench your thirst with a traditional caipirinha, made with a sugar cane alcohol, or try a Guarana, a famous Brazilian soft drink.

When you enter the German Pavilion through the doors on Victoria Avenue you may think you have arrived at a market square in Germany. In our main entertainment hall you will find fantastic authentic German food, two kinds of German beer, wine and Schnapps. And let’s not forget the Gemuetlichkeit.
You will be entertained by the local Alpine Express Show band, the Regina Edelweiss Dancers and the Winnipeg Neuschwanstein Dancers.

Come join us for traditional Irish stew, potato bread, soda bread, barmbrack, as well as "the drink".
Enjoy rousing entertainment by McConnell School of Dance who will be dazzling everyone with their footwork and traditional full dress regalia.
Other entertainment includes: the New Celtic String Band featuring the Uillean Pipes, Shamus O’jibway and FUGR, a alternative Celtic rock band.
"May the best day of your past be like the worst day of your future."

COLOMBIAN
Central United Church
327 Eighth Street

Open Thursday 6–11 p.m.
Open Friday 6–11 p.m.
Open Saturday 1–11 p.m.

Colombia is a country where you do not need an invitation, you're always welcome. Come in and enjoy our delicious meals, dances, and maybe even find the perfect souvenir for yourself of a loved one in our craft store.
Shows will repeat every 90 minutes.

GLOBAL VILLAGE
St. Matthew’s Church
403–13th Street

CLOSED Thursday N/A
Open Friday 6–11 p.m.
Open Saturday 1–11 p.m.

The Global Village Pavilion returns this year, featuring food, entertainment and cultural presentations from Peru and the Philippines. For the very first time, Peruvians will put their vibrant multiethnic culture on display with music, traditional dances, and a tasty selection of cuisine.
Philippines, the land of the Orient Pearl, has a very rich culture. Experience Filipino hospitality as we welcome you with a smile, serve you with heart-warming food, and entertain you as we showcase the talents of the young and not so young.

Step inside the Imperial ballroom and be greeted ‘Ceud Mille Faite’ (a hundred thousand welcomes) by the Westman Scottish association.
The Scotch corner bar will be serving a variety of Scotch whiskies and beer. A selection of traditional Scottish food will be served from the ‘Haggis Hoose’ kitchen including haggis, tatties and turnip, shortbread and don’t forget Scotland’s famous soft drink Irn Bru. On Saturday afternoon from 1–4 p.m., only afternoon tea will be served.

"Rule Britannia!" The English Pavilion is delighted to be rockin’ their best brand of British Invasion. We are also thrilled to host the Village Green Morris Dancers, a traditional English folk dance troupe, on Saturday afternoon and early evening. This year’s menu includes our famous pies and pasties, and mash, accompanied of course, by a pint! The legendary 007 Martini Bar’ will be back in action – shaken, not stirred! Be sure to sample an authentic pub lunch on Saturday afternoon. A hearty English welcome to you!

HONDURAN
Trinity United Church
1515 Sixth Street

CLOSED Thursday N/A
Open Friday 6–11 p.m.
Open Saturday 1–11 p.m.

We are pleased to invite you to our first Honduran pavilion to share our culture and history. Honduras is very rich in dance, foods and other cultural expressions. Come join us and enjoy our entertainment: traditional dances, musical groups, Maya traditional dance, Garifuna dances; and our traditional foods: The baliada, yucca (cassava) with fried pork rinds, the nacatamales and much more!
Shows will be repeated every hour.

UKRAINIAN
Ukrainian Reading Hall
1005 Assiniboine Avenue

Open Thursday 6–11 p.m.
Open Friday 6–11 p.m.
Open Saturday 1–11 p.m.

The pavilion will feature a food combo made up of perogies, cabbage rolls, Ukrainian sausage, dill pickle, dessert. Cooked onion and sour cream will be available. An appetizer-sized combo will also be available.
The bar will offer two kinds of beer and vodka imported from the Ukraine.
Entertainment of 45-minute sets begins 15 minutes after each hour. Two dance groups will perform –Troyanda School of Dance of Brandon and Teren Dancers from Oakburn.

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